The big news at Amazon's New York press event was the unveiling of its Kindle Fire tablet, but for budget conscious fans of Amazon's e-reader, the company also unveiled a $79 version of its Kindle.

The $79 Kindle, available now on Amazon.com, is intended for readers who want a light, compact e-reader at an affordable price, according to Amazon. It is the version with "Special Offers," which shows advertisements and deals as its screen saver and on the bottom of its home screen. A version without Special Offers is available for $109.

"We have many customers who expressly tell us they don't want touch, don't want to get fingerprints or suntan lotion on the display," Amazon chief Jeff Bezos said during today's launch event.

Amazon said the revamped Kindle is 30 percent lighter than its predecessor at 5.98 ounces, 18 percent smaller, and capable of turning pages 10 percent faster. The device still features a 6-inch display, however, which Bezos said enables you to slip it in your pocket.

Also today, Amazon unveiled a $199 Kindle Fire tablet and a $99 Kindle Touch e-reader. The Kindle Fire tablet will be available starting November 15, while the Touch Kindles, a 3G version of which will also be selling for $149, will hit the Amazon Store on November 21.

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University...
More »